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Washington Aerospace Scholars explore living in space

Students share what would make space feel like home

Each school year The Museum of Flightā€™s Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program convenes high school juniors from across our state to participate in a college-level online course. This year, over 250 students interested in studying aerospace participated in the course, which focuses on NASAā€™s space exploration program and topics in earth and space science. Students may earn five units of college credit from the University of Washington for their participation. Based on their engagement in the online course, over 130 students are invited to a multi-day, in-person summer residency hosted here at The Museum of Flight, where they can work with various industry professionals and STEM educators.

Washington Aerospace Scholars: Living in space

The Museumā€™s new major temporary exhibit, Home Beyond Earth, explores the future of living in space. Who better to ask about the future of space living than the Washington Aerospace Scholars students? Who better to ask if, someday, space could feel like home? Here are a few of these studentsā€™ thoughtful and candid answers, where they consider many of the different definitions of home for themselves and all people:

ā€œSpace would feel like home if humanity could peacefully co-exist with the natural space elements rather than have to fear and adapt to it. Yes, friends, family, and pets are all essential to soothing our humanity, however Iā€™d much rather want my definition of home to mean not having to fight the elements and suit up every time I need to hunt and gather for resources.ā€ ā€“ Kevin T.

ā€œGiven enough time and resources, anywhere, even space, can feel like home. If thereā€™s one thing humans are good at, itā€™s adapting to weird, inhospitable places just because we feel like it. If we can make Antarctica work I think we can make do with Mars or the Moon just as well.ā€ ā€“ Eleanor R.

ā€œAs long as my bones arenā€™t actively melting and I can set my eyes on something pretty, Iā€™ll be fine.ā€ ā€“ Aiden S.

ā€œI have the belief that any place in the universe can be home, because the concept of home is up to the individual to define. You could define any place, or activity that gives you a sense of safety, predictability, familiarity, or comfort to be home. There are people who enjoy flying who define airplanes to be home, an environment that most people find to be not a pleasant experience.ā€ ā€“ Sanat V.

ā€œWhat makes home feel like [home] to a person? The people around them, the activities available, familiarity? I believe a place that allows one the freedom to live as they desire and feel secure defines the experience of a home. In the case of space, maintaining familiarity with the amenities for a chosen lifestyle, a chosen community, and the ability to relax, would make space home.ā€ ā€“ Eleanor H.

ā€œHumans are extremely adaptable and I believe that after living in space for a while, humans will get used to it. This will especially be true for children born in space as that is the only ā€˜homeā€™ they will know!ā€ ā€“ Parnika S.

Washington Aerospace Scholars applications for the 2024/2025 school year are open until October 22, 2024. If you know a high school junior in Washington State interested in learning about space exploration and aerospace careers and the WAS program, you can find more information and apply for the program on our website or email WAS@museumofflight.org.Ā 

About the Author

Amber Van Brunt, Education Administrative Coordinator at The Museum of Flight

Founded in 1965, the independent, nonprofit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, annually serving over 600,000 visitors. The Boeing Academy of STEM Learning at the Museum delivers immersive, user-driven experiences around the subjects of aviation, space and robotics to over 5,000 students each year. For more information about our education programs, visit our website or email questions to education@museumofflight.org.